Samoa Wins First Game in Womens Football Olympic Qualifier

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 08 February 2024: Samoa’s Women National Football team beat Vanuatu 1-0 to remain in the Olympic Football Tournament – Oceania Qualifier currently played at the Football fields, Tuana’imato.

It was a competitive and physical game and both teams gave their best but then Vanuatu made a mistake that earned Samoa a chance for a penalty kick.

There were a few seconds left of the full game and Leah Manuleleua kicked Samoa’s winning goal to the crowd and supporters cheering.

Samoan player Sasjah Vikolia Dade described the game as a battle of strength and mind.

“It was like a big battle and very physical and we had a lot of opportunities we could have put away early, but Vanuatu played very fast and physically,” she said.

Samoa’s head coach Juan Chang Urrea said every game is important and it’s important to start with a win especially on home ground.

“It could have been anyone’s game and we had so many missed chances but then Vanuatu is a strong team,” said Urrea.

Asked about their game against current champion New Zealand on Saturday, he said the focus is on recovery now without overthinking about it.

“We understand these games are common but for us it’s about taking one day at a time, we understand they are the champions but we are not focussing on that,” he said.

Football or soccer is Vanuatu’s national sport and Vanuatu’s captain Elma Aiviji said luck was on Samoa’s side.

“We did our best and it was a physical game but luck was on Samoa’s side,” she said.

Vanuatu has to win the next game against Tonga to stay in the competition.

There are 8 countries competing in four pools and only one will have a chance to compete in the Olympics. The tournament continues today.

The teams

• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Fiji
• Vanuatu
• American Samoa
• Tonga
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands